Vinnie's Diner

Something big and black crashes against the windshield and an explosion rocks the car. Turn into the skid!Isee a flash and something in front of me. Something tall with blackmaterial flapping around it like the tail ends of an old-fashionedduster. Long straw-colored hair. A scraggily goatee. A man? Whats aman doing at the side of the road in the middle of nowhere? Whys hejust standing there? Why doesnt he get out of the way? I yank the wheelback the other way and the car swerves around him.And heads straight off the road.Whenthe world stops bouncing and the car settles I try to keep my eyesfocused but everything blurs around the edges. The waves ebb and Ihear a crunching sound like boots on gravel. Straining to see I barelymake out . . . What is that? A flag? No its that flapping blackmaterial. I think its the man I swerved to miss.A sweet melodious voice makes its way through the undulating roar in my ears. Let me help you.Help. Yes I need help.